Will Haaland feature at Wembley?

Erling Haaland's participation in Saturday's Community Shield against Arsenal remains up in the air, with City's medical staff set to make a late call on the Norwegian's fitness.

The striker, who reported back late after a demanding summer with Norway, has been training with the squad but has not yet completed a full session.

Sources close to the club indicate that a final decision will be made only after a fitness test on the morning of the match.

World Cup hangover

Haaland's situation is complicated by the fact that he was one of several City players to feature at the World Cup, a tournament that has pushed pre-season preparations into a compressed window.

The club's coaching staff are known to be cautious about rushing players back too quickly, particularly those who have had limited rest.

"We will not take any risks with Erling. He is a key player for us, and we have a long season ahead. If he is not ready, he will not play."

Manager Enzo Maresca has stressed the importance of listening to the fitness team, telling reporters exactly that.

Backup options

Should Haaland be deemed unfit to start, the Blues have options in attack, with the club's returning World Cup stars pushing for a place in the starting XI.

However, the prospect of facing Arsenal without their main goal threat is a concern for supporters who remember the intensity of last season's clashes between the sides.

Looking ahead

The Community Shield, traditionally the curtain-raiser to the domestic season, offers an early opportunity to lay down a marker, but City's priority will be ensuring that Haaland is fully fit for the Premier League opener against Bournemouth a week later.

Maresca hinted that a late decision could go either way.

"We will decide tomorrow. It is a question of how he feels and what the medical staff say."

For now, the smart money is on Haaland being named among the substitutes, with a cameo appearance more likely than a full shift.

But with the striker's desire to play, and the manager's respect for that hunger, nothing is set in stone.